mukunda-mAlA - Part 8

[Guest guest]

SrI V. saDagOpan's writings on the mukunda-mAlA stOtram :

 

--

 

VERSE 23

 

Satruc-chEdaika-mantram sakalam-upanishad-vAkhya-sampUjya-mantram

samsArOttAra-mantram samupacita-tamas-sangha-niryANa-mantram |

sarvaiSvaryaika-mantram vysana-bhujaga-sandashTa-santrANa-mantram

jihvE SrI-kRshNa-mantram japa japa satatam janma-sAphalya-mantram || 23

 

After praising the incomparable beauty of SrI kRshNa, kulaSEkharAzhvAr now

turns to the holy SrI-kRshNa-mantram. He explains the significance of the

mantram and the many blessings it confers on those who chant it repeatedly.

 

"SrI-kRshNa-mantram janma-sAphalya-mantram satatam japa" is the AzhvAr's

recommendation. He asks us to recite the kRshNa-mantram which gives meaning and

fruit to one's life. He explains the reasons for his recommendation since

he knows from his experience that the mantram can offer all the following

benefits:

 

. Satru chEda Eka mantram

It is the one mantram which will destroy one's enemies.

 

. upanishad vAkhya sampUjya mantram

It is the mantram which has been identified as the most sacred by the

upanishad vAkhyams.

 

. samsAra uttAra mantram

It is the mantram which gets us across the ocean of samsAra.

 

. samupacita tama: sangha niryANa mantram

It is the mantram which can banish the deep and dark clouds of

ignorance and despair.

 

. sarva aiSvarya Eka mantram

It is the one mantram for attaining all kinds of wealth.

 

. vyasana bhujaga sandashTa santrANa mantram

It is the mantram which acts as a sure cure for the poisonous bites

of serpents known as worldly afflictions.

 

. janma sAphalya mantram

The one mantram, recitation of which makes one's life

worth living and fruitful.

 

SrI kulaSEkharar therefore asks us to recite constantly the holy mantram

known as SrI-kRshNa-mantram for realizing all of the above benefits.

 

--

 

VERSE 24

 

vyAmOha-praSamaushadham muni-manO-vRtti-pravRttyaushadham

daityEndrArti-karaushadham tri-jagatAm sanjIvanaikaushadham |

bhaktAtyanta-hitaushadham bhava-bhaya-pradhvamsanaikaushadham

SrEya: prApti-karaushadham piba manaS SrI-kRshNa-divyaushadham || 24

 

kulaSEkharar describes the SrI-kRshNa principle as the medicine for curing

all the ills of the world and for destroying all the evil forces. He asks us

to drink that beneficial medicine and to get well.

 

With us in mind, the AzhvAr is talking to his own mind and tells it to drink

the divine medicine known as SrI kRshNa. Its benefits are as follows:

 

. vyamOha praSama aushadham

It is a medicine that removes the delusions caused by chasing

material and non-spiritual things.

 

. muni mana: vRtti pravRtti aushadham

It is a medicine that has the power to turn the minds of the sages

towards SrI kRshNa ie. it can make them fall in love with SrI kRshNa.

 

. daitya indra Arti kara aushadham

It is a medicine that can cause endless headache and panic to the

chieftains of asura-s like kAlanEmi.

 

. tri-jagatAm sanjIvana Eka aushadham

It is a medicine essential for rejuvenating the inhabitants of all

the three worlds.

 

. bhaktA: atyanta hita aushadham

It is a medicine that performs wonders and confers benedictions to the

devotees of the Lord.

 

. bhava bhaya pradhvamsana Eka aushadham

It is a medicine that banishes the fears of samsAra

 

. SrEya: prApti kara aushadham

It is a key medicine that confers auspiciousness and happiness

for its partakers.

 

Such a divine medicine is nothing other than the SrI-kRshNa-mantram and

kulaSEkharar tell his mind (and ours) it should drink the SrI-kRshNa-mantram.

 

--

 

VERSE 25

 

AmnAyAbhyasanAny araNya-ruditam vEda-vratAny anv-aham

mEdaS-chEda-phalAni pUrta-vidhaya: sarvE hutam bhasmani |

tIrthAnAm avagAhanAni ca gaja-snAnam vinA yat-pada-

dvandvAmbhOruha-samsmRtIr vijayatE dEvas sa nArAyaNa: || 25

 

 

In this verse, the AzhvAr explains the futility of all holy deeds if one

does not recite the SrI-kRshNa-mantram or drink the medicine known as

SrI kRshNa or think about HIM.

 

AzhvAr describes the futility of vEdic recitation, rituals like

EkAdaSi fasting, giving money to charities, pilgrimage to sacred places or

bathing in gangA river if one does not meditate on the Holy Feet of SrI kRshNa.

This is because of the paling of all other so called sacred acts compared to

the Supreme glory of SrI kRshNa who is the incarnation of SrIman-nArAyaNa.

 

With that conviction born out of his own experience, SrI kulaSEkharar declares

the Supremacy of Sriman-nArAyaNa, with the statement

 

"sa dEva: nArAyaNa: vijayatE "

 

 

SrI kulaSEkhara-rAja gives three examples of inefficacious "sacred" deeds

if performed without meditation on the Holy Feet of SrI kRshNa.

 

The first example is the recitation of the vEda-s.

" AmnAya abhyasanAni araNya ruditam vEda "

the AzhvAr says that such recitations without recollection of the

Lord's Lotus Feet are like screams and lamentations in the forest,

where no one can come to help.

 

The second example is the daily practice of rituals sanctioned by the vEda-s.

Such practices without the thought of the Lord can only dry up one's muscles

and cannot yield any benefits to help bring the practitioners close

to the Lord. AzhvAr describes these fruitless rituals as,

" anu-aham vEda vratAni mEda: chEda phalAni iva ".

 

The third example of futile rituals resulting from the pursuit of charitable

deeds without faith in the Lord, are described as hOmam-s (ie pouring of the

sacrificial ghee) performed on ashes. Our AzhvAr says:

" sarvE pUrta-vidhaya: bhasmani hutam iva".

Charitable deeds like digging ponds and building public facilities etc.,

devoid of kRshNa-bhakti are like pouring oblations unto ashes, according to

SrI kulaSEkhara.

 

Even gangA-snAnam without meditation on SrI kRshNa is like "elephant's bath"

and hence unsatisfactory. The AzhvAr wants us to remember the Holy Feet of

Lord in all our deeds in order to get his full blessings.

 

--

** SrI kRshNArpaNamastu **